Vintage Plantations (Handcrafted Artisanal Chocolate)

Evaluation Date: July 2012

Cocoa Content: 100%

Purchased @: Issaquah PCC

Theo Rating: 2 - "The aroma was wonderful! However, without any sweetness, this dark chocolate was TOO bitter."

Broma Rating: 2 - "I can only recommend this d-d-d-d-dark-choc  to those who are doing a science experiment. It certainly addresses your curiosity, but that's about all. We did evaluate this brand in a 75% content previously."

PRESTAT Intensely Dark Chocolate

Evaluation Date: March 2014

Cocoa Content: 80%

Purchased @: Heathrow Airport

Theo Rating: 9 - "I too rated it a 9. It was a tad too bitter for me. I would have liked a little more sweetness too."

Broma Rating: 9 - "A wonderful dark chocolate with a powerful "kick"!   But, if I were to compare it with others (and this is what this is all about) I have to say that I really would prefer one of the "10's" above to this one, as the cocoa content is just a bit too high."

AMANO Artisan Chocolate MADAGASCAR

Evaluation Date: October 2011

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: Salt Lake City

Theo Rating: 7 - "I found this chocolate good at the first bite, but then developed a somewhat salty/bitter taste that I did not like. "

Broma Rating: 10 - "This is a wonderful dark choc that is smooth, sweet and cocoa-ed perfectly! Its no wonder this company has received several awards for their product!"

BLANXART Barcelona, 1954 PERU

Evaluation Date: January 2016

Cocoa Content: 77%

Purchased @: France

Theo Rating: 5 - "I too found the texture of this sample not pleasant. There was also a residual taste from the chocolate I did not like. Not a good sample."

Broma Rating: 6 - "I'm not happy with this sample. The 'grainy' texture of the chocolate doesn't leave with a good feeling. The cocoa content is high enough to provide a 'kick', however."

KALLARI farmer-owned organic made in Ecuador

Evaluation Date: April 2012

Cocoa Content: 85%

Purchased @: PCC

Theo Rating: 8 - "This chocolate was very smooth, had a good aroma but was not quite as sweet as I prefer. All in all, an excellent chocolate."

Broma Rating: 9 - "This dark Chocolate's cocoa content is one of the higher samples that we have evaluated. It therefore approaches an uncomfortable bitterness level. That stated, I like it very, very much and rate it as a "9"."

Hageland Premium Belgian Chocolate Limited Origin Selection (Peru)

Evaluation Date: August 2011

Cocoa Content: 64%

Purchased @: Walmart

Theo Rating: 10 - "I concur. The aroma was GREAT and the sweetness was right on. An excellent chocolate!"

Broma Rating: 10 - "A wonderful dark choc, with a perfect balance of dark sharpness, sweetness and smoothness. It rates, in my book, along with the very best we've sampled!"

Chocolove XOXOX BELGIAN CHOCOLATE

Evaluation Date: December 2013

Cocoa Content: 65%

Purchased @: Metropolitan Market

Theo Rating: 10 - "I loved it and so did the other 5 folks I shared it with - We all loved it! "

Broma Rating: 10 - "Again, Chocolove produces a sample with a "10" rating! This is a solid dark choc that has a pleasing level of cocoa, just the right amount of sweetness and a smooth texture that pleases."

PACARI - RAW

Evaluation Date: August 2015

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: France

Theo Rating: 7 - "I missed a strong dark chocolate flavor in this sample, and the texture was not as smooth as I prefer. Otherwise, it was a decent sample."

Broma Rating: 6 - "Theo is right, this evaluation was a disappointment in cocoa content."

Lake Champlain Chocolates all natural African Blend

Evaluation Date: October 2012

Cocoa Content: 80%

Purchased @: Portland Maine

Theo Rating: 6 - "I found this dark chocolate taste a tad bitter and the sweetness was not where I like it to be."

Broma Rating: 7 - "Very much like a previous Trader Joe's sample. A great combination of cocoa level but somewhat lacking in texture. A little too waxy for my tastes."

MONGGO Extra Fine Chocolate

Evaluation Date: January 2014

Cocoa Content: 58%

Purchased @: Bali Indonesia

Theo Rating: 6 - "I liked this chocolate, although not as dark as I prefer. I’ll give it a 6."

Broma Rating: 5 - "It really is a treat to sample a chocolate from indonesia! However the cocoa level of this sample (58%) is far too low to be considered a 'dark' chocolate. It is otherwise smooth & sweet and a very nice treat, I can't give it more than a 5."

Baron Chocolate Dark

Evaluation Date: November 2011

Cocoa Content: ??%

Purchased @: Sweeties Candy - Phoenix, AZ

Theo Rating: 5 - "I didn't think this chocolate was horrible. It was perhaps a little stale, but the flavor was not too bad."

Broma Rating: 3 - "Really bad. This is not a pleasing sample at all. It may be too aged, but I have a hunch that even if this was a fresh copy, it still wouldn't make it above a "5" "

Solstice Sambirano Madagascar

Evaluation Date: April 2016

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: PCC

Theo Rating: 9 - "Excellent dark chocolate sample! I liked the dark chocolate taste and smoothness. However, the "hints of citrus and berries" were a little strange for me, and kept me from giving it a "10.""

Broma Rating: 10 - "Fantastic dark chocolate bar! The only other thing I can add is that I very much enjoyed the "hints of citrus and berries" present in this sample!"

NOI SIRIUS Pure Icelandic Chocolate

Evaluation Date: August 2012

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: Maine

Theo Rating: 6 - "I expected it to be smoother and better tasting. Perhaps the sample we tried had been stored too long? I agree that it may have been targeted for  cooking or baking."

Broma Rating: 6 - "I'm afraid that the age and the granular nature of this sample has handicapped its rating. I like the cocoa content (sufficiently dashing) but smooth, it is not. It appears to be targeting a cooking or baking audience, rather than an afternoon snack audience."

Vintage Plantations (Artisanal Chocolate)

Evaluation Date: July 2010

Cocoa Content: 75%

Purchased @: QFC

Theo Rating: 6 - "I actually liked the dark chocolate, but agree it was a little "burnt" "

Broma Rating: 5 - "A dark choc that says, "This is not a pleasing experience!" The initial "burnt" flavor is too profound to give way to the acceptable "after taste" "

CHAPON Chocolatier VENEZUELA

Evaluation Date: August 2015

Cocoa Content: 75%

Purchased @: Somewhere in France

Theo Rating: 10 - "I loved this sample! It had just the right blend of dark chocolate taste, smoothness and sweetness. A GREAT sample :) "

Broma Rating: 10 - "A WINNER !! On top of this being a "10" in my book, it also "breaks the mold" on packaging a great dark choc. Wonderful flavor, texture and kick."

SAFEWAY SELECT Extra Dark - Dark Chocolate

Evaluation Date: June 2012

Cocoa Content: 78%

Purchased @: Safeway

Theo Rating: 9 - "Very good, but I like a little more sweetness."

Broma Rating: 10 - "Its very interesting that the other Safeway Select samples rated very high marks, and that we wondered how the same might score, without "combo" items, such as nuts or berries. Well now we know! Its great! A Zinger dark choc!"

Theo Audubon COSTA RICA

Evaluation Date: April 2012

Cocoa Content: 91%

Purchased @: PCC

Theo Rating: 6 - "This sample was much too bitter for me. The dark chocolate flavor was very good, but not sweet enough for me."

Broma Rating: 7 - "Though this dark choc has an incredibly high cocoa content, the blend is done very well. As far as extreme "high percentage" samples this is one of the best I've tested. I'm not, however, fond of this category of dark choc."

MOONSTRUCK Chocolatier Dark Chocolate Bar DARK Chocolate

Evaluation Date: Feb 2011

Cocoa Content: 68%

Purchased @: ?

Theo Rating: 7 - "The dark chocolate tastes good and the chocolate very smooth, but not one of the best we have tasted."

Broma Rating: 7 - "This is a good sample that reminds you why you like dark verses milk chocolate. Its strong with just the right "bitter" taste, but it's not more than a "7" "

Chocolove XOXOX BELGIAN CHOCOLATE

Evaluation Date: November 2013

Cocoa Content: 77%

Purchased @: Metropolitan Market

Theo Rating: 10 - "Today’s sample was excellent!"

Broma Rating: 10 - "This "high percentage" great dark chocolate is smooth and pleasing sample that I consider a "10" ! I very look forward to testing its 55% and 65% brothers!."

WOODBLOCK CHOCOLATE PORTLAND, ORE

Evaluation Date: June 2014

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: Portland Airport

Theo Rating: 7 - "I found the texture good, but with a slightly fruity taste when I first bit into the bar. The finish was good, as was the dark chocolate taste and the sweetness. "

Broma Rating: 8 - "Very impressive "dark kick" with this sample, when only publishing a 70% content! I like the packaging, though the size of the bar is a significant negative (too small!)"